The more the days go by, the more I feel that Japan might quickly be becoming the mecca for fine footwear and amazing shoemakers. It is known that when the Japanese culture takes ahold of something, whether it be blades, yo-yo-ing, technology or shoemaking, that once they go for it and immerse their culture into it, they don’t stop until it is perfected and they become the best at doing it. Kanperkina/Perfetto is proof of that perfection as well as the fact that they continuously sell out when their shoes go on sale…. And because of this brand (among the many others), it just might be that in reality, they have simply started to conquer the shoemaking industry and I say that wholeheartedly. I will admit that my favorite makers (of which you probably know, but I won’t name) are still from Europe, but the more and more that I see Japanese shoemakers and the beautiful creations that they make, the more that I think that Japan is the place where term ‘exceptional shoemaking,’ should now be synonymous with. That may be a bold statement, but I am not exaggerating when I say that they deserve it.
While one would look at these shoes and think (due to their aesthetics) that they were made in England (by Edward Green if I were to make an educated and naive guess) it is actually the fact that they are made locally in Japan. If this is truly the case (which I presume that it is as they state it on the website), then man, do I tip my hat to the factory, as this type of making is hard for any factory, even the ones that have been around for over 100 year’s. Spat boots, for those that don’t know, are probably the hardest pattern to get right, and be executed well. And one can tell when looking at these, that they did a brilliant job at it. Hopefully soon, I will suss it out completely and find out exactly where they are made, and then take a trip to the factory, as I would love to see these in production, and more so just factory itself, especially if it is in Japan!! Nevertheless, I will say that these boots are simply amazing and while not entirely practical for the average person, still a treat to see and even more so, to own. If I could afford it, I would have them all!!
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| Look at the last shape of that brown check boot on the right…..to die for!!!! |
It is truly exciting to see where the shoe industry is heading, particularly when brands like this come out and are so popular that you have to be on a waiting list just to get their shoes. That’s true success and makes me happy to know too, as it shows the progress that we, as humans, are having with our personal styling when it comes to footwear (while we have been free in our attire for many years — hence people not being embarrassed to wear bell-bottoms/square toes etc, I do believe that in our footwear, we have been far behind and are only now really starting to break out and be truly creative and daring — in a good way). These boots are probably among the coolest shoes that I have ever seen, truly….And I can only hope to one day own a pair….as soon as I figure out how to get on that list!!
Pictures Courtesy of: Dress Like A, En Grande Pompe & Upper Shoes
**dancing with joy**
The mix of leather and tweed is absolutely awesome! I don’t really like the “Harris Tweed” patch on some of them (although it would be hidden by the trousers).
On a side note, your brand was featured on tsb. http://tsbmen.com/27621/get-in-the-trenches/3/
i wonder if the patch could be removed with a razor blade….thanks for letting me know about TSB!
I just noticed something about the grey/cream boot, fifth picture from the bottom: the pattern is unusual, as the vamp overlaps an extended counter at the side, instead of the vamp and quarter being one piece like a true balmoral.
And I couldn’t help but remember where I’ve seen such an oddity before: great minds think alike, eh Justin? 😉
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yNDi2N9tS8I/UPmEN0HcjOI/AAAAAAAALbg/1uttTJYF88c/s640/25.+SIDE.jpg
yea theirs is similar….wish I could say that we were the only two, as I am sure that others do it too….sadly there just aren’t that many ways to design it…
Justin,
Years ago the Japanese started making inroads into the British car manufacturing industry which, until then, had been dominated by the likes of Vauxhall, Ford, etc. In time these companies had to raise their game and standards to compete with the Japanese and we began to see better quality UK made cars. The Japanese then entered into competition with the UK motorcycle, ship building, camera, audio visual products companies who subsequently never seened to be able to compete and therefore either lost their market share or even died out. It will be very interesting to see if the UK shoe makers compete or capitulate or whether the high street brands, who until now have (generally) sold massed produced rubbish to an undiscerning custimer base, raise their game and standards and as a nation we become better shod.
It would be interesting, as a professional, to hear your thoughts on this please
Best regards,
Snapper
I don’t think that they will raise their game as the culture is different and society is all backwards at the moment…Japanese people will pay for quality and the idea of something well made…people in the western world (as a generalization) just want the lowest price possible but also the best quality…people here have a hard time fathoming paying for shoes that are over £300, even if they are millionaires… it’s too much about money and profit margin here, where as in Japan it’s about making the best product possible
Truly spectacular. I wonder when/if the increasing number of fabric options among the makers will return to the days when one can attach the uppers or fabric side panels to an existing shoe – increasing a shoe’s versatility without having to purchase each shoe independently.
when was that and do you have a picture example?
Hi, Justin.
Can you explain why spat/button boots have that visible divider going down the front by the buttons?
Thanks,
Nick D.
pretty sure that this is how the pattern needs to be to make it work, that’s the only thing that I can think of of why it is always there…
My Mom, born in the early 30’s had a pair of women’s boots like these. In that instance only one side was “accordianed” – folded into itself to allow the foot to slide in. There was no front tongue to wrap around. I’m thinking these wear and are constructed in the same manner?
Can you purchase these online? I’m looking for a pair of bal boots for my wedding and some of the ones in the pictures are great!
no i don’t believe so…you would have to get in touch with them and place an order through them, but they don’t have an online portal for purchasing
Fortunately I have a native speaking colleague to whom I owe many thanks. Follow this link: Please mind that the product options was not visible and fully functional in IE. I used mozilla and was able to select the appropriate brand.
http://www.wfg-net.com/product.html
thanks for that, I had found it before but then lost it so I am glad that you made me aware of it again!
how do I purchase a pair without going to Japan? as you say no portal 😉